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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Haunted Orchard Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

{my favorite haunted pumpkin}

Autumn Sundays are meant for slowing down, cozying up, spending time with family, and cooking a delicious meal. I think that is a dream day for so many, and it’s most definitely mine. If I’m being honest, this type of Sunday almost never happens, but today it’s semi-happening.

I might not be taking it slow, but I am spending the day cooking up a storm in the kitchen (you will soon discover why) and running around in a mad rush trying to shoot photos before the sun goes behind the snow-capped mountains around five thirty. It’s been a little bit of a struggle getting recipes photographed with the sun setting earlier and earlier each and every day (shhh, no one bring up that fact that daylight savings time ends in a week), but I’m also loving the soft light that autumn has to offer.

Anyone else doing some fall cooking and baking today? What are you making?

Coming up this week on the blog we have a really fun and jam packed week. Starting things off tomorrow with an easy recipe perfect for Halloween night, that works equally well for the busy month ahead. Moving right along to a sweet and cozy breakfast recipe, and then it’s onto Thanksgiving with soup, plenty of cookies, and a festive cocktail for a crowd. I’ll be taking a break from the normal Sunday favorites post next week and instead sharing an update on the HBH Studio.

If you need some last-minute Halloween recipe inspiration check out #2. Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

1. Happiness.

Before I even begin to ramble on, you need to read this: 5 Things You Need to Stop Doing “Right Now” in Order to Be Happy.

Can any of you relate? I can relate to pretty much everything talked about. It’s not that I am unhappy, I’m actually so happy, and so grateful for everything in my life, but I totally have moments…or days, when things are just harder than others. Don’t we all? The five things listed in this article hit a couple of my weaknesses on the dot. My biggest weakness? Comparison. I struggle with the comparison game so much. With social media and life on the internet being such a big part of my job, not comparing myself to others is pretty hard. In the end though, it’s only setting me back (and driving me crazy), so today I am making it my goal to just STOP. For me, this means, skip scrolling through Instagram and worrying about what’s happening on social. Instead I am focusing solely on what I need to do.

How do you guys deal with the five things on this list? What are your biggest struggles and how do you deal with them?

2. Halloween Recipes:

salted caramel apple snickers cake

Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

spooky Halloween pretzels

Spooky Halloween Pretzels | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

hocus pocus spellbook brownies

Hocus Pocus Spellbook Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

forbidden forest chocolate butterbeer cake

Forbidden Forest Chocolate Butterbeer Cake | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

death eater negroni

Death Eater Negroni | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

pumpkin butterbeer hot chocolate

Pumpkin Butterbeer Hot Chocolate (VIDEO) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

3. HBH Newsletters.

Half Baked Harvest Newsletters

I get a ton of questions about how to sign up for the daily newsletter. Well, with the new site redesign we’ve made it a bit easier to sign up, and also added a couple new options for newsletters like, new videos and weekly recaps. In these newsletters you’ll find some of my daily finds, sneak peaks behind the scenes, and so much more!

Be sure to sign up for the new HBH newsletters here.

4. Favorite Entertaining Pieces…

Ursula Large Platter | Dottie Honey Pot | Ursula Tea Pot | Ursula Serving Bowl

Latte Platter | Lace Cake Stand | Farmhouse Cheese Board

5. New Videos:

brown butter pumpkin fettuccine alfredo…with pan-fried cheese. Enough said.

cinnamon spiced sugar cookies with browned butter frosting…my favorite sugar cookie.

sweet potato gnocchi with rosemary parmesan cream sauce…most popular recipe of the week.

6. NYC Suggestions.

So excited to be finally heading to NYC for some Half Baked Harvest Cookbook press/events. I have a fun event with The Feed Feed that I will be giving you all more info about soon, and then some interviews and other press lined up. I’m going to be in the city for a few days, so I’m wondering what sites I need to go see, where I need to eat, and what shops I need to hit up. Leave all you suggestions in the comments. Also, I haven’t booked a hotel yet, where should I stay? I’ve only been to NYC once when I was twelve and I was only there for maybe twenty-four hours. I didn’t see much, so I can’t wait to explore!

ps. I will be hitting up this Louis Vuitton exhibit for sure.

7. A few Links I am Loving…

15 easy and cheep Halloween decorations…for all you last-minute people.

10 healthy life hacks with Molly Simms…fun Sunday read.

your Sunday night dinner…shhh, it’s one of the HBH cookbook recipes.

16 easy dinner party recipes…because tis the entertaining season.

smoky apple cider margarita…Mmmm.

a cozy Friendsgiving feast…anyone hosting Friendsgiving this year?

8 pieces for a fall wardrobe…all about that motto jacket and those over the knee boots.

poison apple martini…the perfect spooky cocktail

8. Gold Jewelry for Fall.

Suzette Ring | Marfa Ring | Laure Necklace | Suzette Cuff

9. This Weeks Dinners:

Monday: Slow Cooker Potato and Cauliflower Curry

Slow Cooker Potato and Cauliflower Curry | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Tuesday: Crockpot Beef Chili

Crockpot Beef Chili | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Wednesday: Roasted Cranberry Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Roasted Cranberry Brown Sugar Pork Chops | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Thursday: Miso Dumpling Soup with Autumn Squash

Miso Dumpling Soup with Autumn Squash | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Friday: Brown Butter Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.

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Comments

  1. Wow, everyone has given such good NYC recommendations! A few more things that I haven’t seen mentioned…
    Eataly is good to visit. It’s always crowded, but from a food emporium perspective, you should definitely visit! They have great pizza there.
    Other pizza favorites of mine are John’s of Bleeker Street and Joe’s (on Carmine).
    You probably know all about Momofuku Milk Bar, but it’s definitely worth a visit to get crack pie or cereal milk ice cream.

    To echo what others have said, you should definitely visit Chelsea Market and the High Line. Food Network has their offices above Chelsea Market so sometimes you see celeb chefs coming and going!
    For museums, my favorites are the Met, the MOMA, and the Natural History Museum.

    Have fun while here!

  2. So exciting about your NYC trip! I LOVE this city! I have been several times and here are a few places that you MUST check out! My uncle lives there and he showed us places we would have never known about!

    THE BEST BURGER I HAVE EVER HAD
    The Burger Joint inside the Le Parker Meridien Hotel. It is literally a hole in the wall inside of this gorgeous 5 star hotel that is super tiny but literally is the best burger I have ever had. And the brick on the inside is autographed by hundreds of celebrities who have been there!

    Go see a Broadway show if you haven’t already. My favorite is Phantom of the Opera or Rock of Ages

    THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
    You must go! If you love dinosaurs, pre historic mammals, outer space- this place is huge and I go every time I am there and still see things I missed before!

    Have a great time!

  3. Places to visit:
    Guggenheim
    Chelsea Market (try the goat cheese icecream with halva)
    Empire State Building is touristy but amazing!!
    The high line (walking park you can get on it at the Chelsea market)

  4. Hey Tieghan,
    I’m glad you had a lovely Sunday. I’ve also been feeling really overwhelmed. I’m so grateful for everything that I’m doing and love being this busy, but sometimes it hurts and I’m not able to really step back for a moment, breathe, and enjoy each day. But I hope you have an incredible time in NY! My closest friend goes to NYU and I wish I could visit her. I recommend Mikey Likes It ice cream, City Cakes (for their cookies), Mollys Cupcakes, and Chefs Club Counter. I’m looking forward to the recipes this week!,

  5. I recommend the book, Beyond Happiness, by Ezra Bayda. Really helpful insights on learning to become wise by bringing awareness and self-compassion and an open curiosity to the kind of existential angst that is so intrinsically part of being human. It was available on audible last I knew, if you do audiobooks. I wonder if it would help with some of the comparison thing for you, as it did for me years back. I do really think you are exceptionally good at what you do, and boy are we your readers grateful for that! But I have found that often the comparison habit can relate to not feeling okay with just being just US, nothing else added. Think of how you love your mom or someone very close to you. Yeah, maybe she does make the best chocolate chip cookies, but you love her because she is HER, not because she produces an exceptional product in this or that area. It can be a challebging habit to develop that same feeling towards ourselves, but boy, is it ever worth the effort! I wish you well w it.

  6. You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Your recipes and pictures of them are like artwork and the most unique I’ve seen. They are beautiful. Haven’t tried your recipes yet, a little scared too(here comes a comparison) that they won’t look like yours. But I’m going to try It!!! Thank you.

    1. I am sure yours will turn out beautiful Rosemary! I hope you love some of the recipes on my blog when you get a chance to try them! Thank you!

  7. Here are my top NYC picks for someone visiting from out of town:
    1. Nom Wah- authentic dim sum, like stepping back in time
    2. Cowgirls-Great food, great cocktails, great people watching. An authentic taste of the Village,
    3. Levin bakery-The cookies are unreal and everyone should try them at least once
    4. Caffe Reggio-Your classic old school Italian coffee house. No PSL’s here!
    5. Chikalicious Dessert Club-I’ve had a real cronut and I think their doughsants are better. Plus amazing vanilla bean ice cream in a churro come? Yes please.
    6. Serendipity- Yes, it’s super touristy, but it’s pretty magical inside, and it’s never too cold for a frozen hot chocolate.
    7, Grand Central Station- Look up! The ceilings are amazing. Great food court in the basement, a nordic food court, and then a French style indoor market that makes you drool.
    8. Num Pang- A NYC takeout chain that has different sandwiches similar to Bahn Mi. My personal faves are the brisket and the cauliflower.
    9. Chelsea Market- I go there on a regular basis and it never gets old. A great place for souvenirs.
    10. The Christmas Shops- Crafts and food from local artisans. Multiple locations around the city including Union Square, Bryant Park, and Columbus Circle

  8. Love how you mix up your favorite things with Halloween and shopping items and dinners and links, so it’s not all the same thing.

  9. Hi Tiegan,
    You are fabulous and your recipes too!!!love your blog!!! Do you know about Zabars? The greatest gourmet and housewares store on the upper west side. Best cappuccino.Also In the same area is Carmine’s great Italian restaurant family style with fabulous salads and drinks. ABC kitchen for a fun lunch and brunch and be sure to check out ABC carpet the most fabulous homes store.the Cloisters museum in Fort Tyron Park upper manhattan medieval architecture beautiful this time of year. Arther Avenue for the best of Italian restaurants and bakeries. Botanical Gardens, The Bronk Zoo. Obviously a walk in Central Park, watch chess playing in Washington Square Park for entertainment,Walk on the street and get a “dirt water dog” or potato knish ,any museum MOMA my favorite.911 memorial, Bergdorf,s BG restaurant for lunch or tea 7th floor overlooking Central Park sit in the whispering chairs. Sardi’s for a drink and people watching. Ellen Stardust Diner for singing wait staff that worked on Broadway with the most amazing voices!!!!! Such fun! Tons of trendy restaurants!,

    The LondonHotel is a great place to stay according g to friends. Marriott Marquis great location and you buy broadway tickets there. Go see Kinky Boots, Hamilton, Jersey Boys to name a few. I am a native NYer living in Boston miss NY so much. Have a great time!!!

    1. Oh yes, I second ABC Carpet! It’s a furniture store but almost like a museum. You’ve never been any place else like it. Fish’s Eddy is nearby and that’s a fun store, too that only sells kitchen stuff.

    2. Hi Patti! Thank you so much for these awesome suggestions! This will seriously help me out. Oh and I need to take a walk through Central Park! Thank you again!

  10. Eat at Carbone, Laut, and Momofuku for sure. Something tells me you’d like Sarabeth’s brunch, too. If you’re in Chinatown, China North Dumpling is very good and amazingly cheap.
    You’re really into fashion, so I would also highly suggest the Is Fashion Modern? exhibit at MoMA. The Tabi boots alone make it worthwhile.

  11. Tieghan, there is absolutely no need for you to waste your valuable time and energy on the comparison game. You are a talented, accomplished and beautiful young woman. You share these talents with the world through your blog, your book and your travels. I should venture to guess, that anyone foolish enough to compare themselves to you would fall very short indeed. YOU are a WITCH : Woman In Total Control Here!! That is meant as a compliment, just in case you had doubts. Nine Favorite Things is fantabulous, again. Your Halloween recipes are spectacular and your photos are phenomenal! Thank-you so much for all you give. P.S. The roasted cranberry brown sugar pork chops are yumalicious and this week became a recipe to be kept and shared!

    1. Ellen! This is so sweet and something I needed to hear! Thank you so much for this! Oh and I love the “WITCH” haha! I hope you have a great week!